Music Education &
Performing Arts Consultant
Barry It was by accident that the world now enjoys the sumptuous sound of dramatic soprano, Christine Goerke, as it was not in her grand scheme to be one of the world’s great operatic divas. In fact, the American singer came from humble beginnings, and had chosen a path as a High School music teacher. It … Read more
I Musici ABC 074 3213 (CD & DVD set) The Four Seasons are so well known, but when the sound of I Musici is combined with the visual element of Venice, then this becomes a real treat. This is a DVD with a difference; the beauty and delights of Venice can be experienced in sympatico … Read more
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Guy Noble Various Artists ABC 481 0378 Nineteen of the best-loved songs from twelve landmark musicals (from composers such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Richard Rodgers, Claude-Michel Schonberg, Leonard Bernstein, Robert and Richard Sherman, and Stephen Sondheim) coupled with a full orchestral backing from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, along with eight wonderful … Read more
Dedicated to new music and new ideas in music performance, Ensemble Offspring has produced a recording of most unusual compositions, based around a new tuning system. Various composers have collaborated with instrument makers to achieve their objectives in the creation of this new musical vocabulary. The CD booklet helps to explain, via a short historical … Read more
Ian Dorricott & Bernice Allan ISBN 97800702772212 & 9780170221252 Cengage Learning Australia A substantial series of texts for music educators in this country is the In Tune With Music books, now in its fourth edition. Able to take students (and teachers) through Stage 5 music (of the NSW Board of Studies course), these books are … Read more
Words by Rita Crews;Â Music by Brett M McKern ISMN 979 1 720115 73 3;Â Wirripang Pty Ltd Four blessings, or short musical statements, were composed by Sydney-based composer Brett McKern on texts written by Rita Crews. The blessings were intended for, and indeed two were used by, The Cathedral Singers on their UK tour in August, … Read more
Sally Whitwell (Piano) ABC 481 0412 (This review appeared in the December 2013 edition of Fine Music magazine.) In Sally Whitwell’s opening statement for her third CD, she says “I am keeping Classical Music friendly”. She has indeed successfully executed this through her performances and recordings, making a name for herself by chiefly taking slightly … Read more
ABC 481 0348 (This review appeared in the Dec 2013 edition of Fine Music magazine.) Whilst being the resident orchestra for the annual Pinchgut Opera production, the Orchestra of the Antipodes, has forged a significant reputation in the early music landscape. The ensemble’s recording output has captured much of the repertoire of the period, and … Read more
This article appeared in Fine Music magazine (Nov 2013) – available at http://issuu.com/finemusic/docs/fine_music_magazine_november_2013 It is often said that music is an international language. In the person of pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, there is no greater truth. Set to visit Sydney for performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in December, Thibaudet is a truly global artist. Having … Read more
Tall Poppies: TP223 A vast array of tonal colours and new ideas are apparent in the third CD from Australian percussionist, Claire Edwardes. This is a disc that not only contains established repertoire, but also new pieces specially composed for Edwardes. The undertaking, however, was to assemble music for only one percussion instrument, hence the … Read more